Simply Southville

March date set for new Sainsburys application

2011-02-06T20:52:00.000Z

The planning meeting to consider the latest application for a giant new Sainsburys for Ashton Gate is now confirmed for 2 March 2011. So if you want to object to the proposed store you must do it as soon as possible. You can send them in by writing to:

Development Management
City Development
Bristol City Council
Brunel House
St George’s Road
Bristol BS1 5UY

Or you can email them to development.management@bristol.gov.uk

Along with your objections you must include your name and address and quote planning reference 10/04777/P

Evening Post backlash at Sainsbury decision

2010-07-23T23:17:00.001+01:00

You can just imagine it can't you? Evening Post office on Wednesday night preparing to pop the champagne and claim 'It was the Post that won it' on Thursday's edition. Maybe they started to sweat a bit when the planning meeting passed ten o'clock in the evening. And then the unthinkable, the supermarket proposal at Ashton Gate is refused.

In Thursday's edition they just manage to get the decision on the front page, but not too much more. Damn those deadlines. The hacks must have been pretty miffed. Bet they couldn't wait for today to unleash their finest on the Ashton Gate scandal (could this be Aston Gate-Gate?). Mike Ribbeck, Ian Onions, Andy Sloan and Uncle Tom Cobbly all had their say on the story. Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and the back page all cover the story. Come on guys, don't you think you're going a bit over the top? Balanced reporting? Well let's just say the Post has maintained its pro supermarket, sod the local community stance.

Through all the froth and frenzy my favourite quote was Cllr Mark Bradshaw (Labour Bedminster) who said: 'Suggestions that everyone in Bedminster was opposed to the development are about as fanciful as suggesting that most of my constituents can afford to do their weekly shop in North Street'. Having read this I immediately contacted Aldi (in North Street) to check they haven't doubled their prices. I was assured that they hadn't and would continue to provide excellent value for money for the local community.

And so the saga rumbles on...

What next for Ashton Gate?

2010-07-22T22:30:00.001+01:00

So now the Sainsbury’s planning proposal has been turned down what happens next?

Well if we are to believe the rhetoric coming out of Bristol City last year, then no new superstore means no new stadium. So that’s it then? We all pack up and go back to how things were?

Of course there could be an appeal against the decision but there is no guarantee the outcome will change. They could revise down the size of the new site, but then you start to ask why Sainsburys would want to move. Or City’s Chairman could find another buyer for the site and raise the shortfall in funds for the stadium elsewhere.

Let’s not forget $teve Lansdown, who upped sticks earlier in the year and moved to the Channel Islands to avoid paying tax, has amassed a personal fortune of £452 million. He knows how to cut a deal to bring in some cash. So perhaps, just perhaps there could still be a happy ending. Ashton Gate gets redeveloped bringing much needed affordable housing and small business units that would complement the community. A new stadium gets built and England win the bid for 2018 World Cup.

Although a blow has been dealt to the supermarket proposal this isn’t the end of the story. We’ll have to wait for a few more days to see what action City and Sainsburys take next.

At Simply Southville we are proud of our local community and the green credentials of the city we live in. The Sainsburys' proposal doesn't fit, it's not right and this website will continue to oppose it.

Newsflash - Councillors refuse application for Ashton Gate superstore

2010-07-21T22:58:00.002+01:00

Well I never! At the Council House tonight councillors on the South & East Planning Committee have rejected Sainsbury's proposals for a massive supermarket on the current site of Bristol City's ground at Ashton Gate. Simply Southville understands it was rejected by four votes to two, with two abstentions.

Well done to the people in Southville, Ashton and Bedminster who have campaigned to stop this unnecessary development. Let's hope Bristol City can find an alternative use for the site which is more suitable, so it can fund its plans for a new stadium.

More to follow tomorrow...

It's D-Day for Ashton Gate superstore

2010-07-20T20:57:00.003+01:00

On Wednesday 21 July at 6pm councillors on Bristol South Planning Committee will meet to decide whether to approve the planning application for the Sainsbury’s giant store at Ashton Gate. If it goes ahead, they will then consider a second application for the existing smaller Sainsbury's at Ashton Vale to be demolished and 145 homes built on the site.

Since last week, Bristol Friends of the Earth has been co-ordinating the local campaign against Sainsburys and they urgently need your help to:

Turn up at College Green at 5.30pm Wed (30 mins before the meeting starts) for a 'WE LOVE NORTH ST SHOPS, NO to NEW SAINSBURY'S SUPERSTORE' group photo with local residents and North Street traders.

Support the local residents including George Ferguson and one of the North St shop owners who are giving 3 minute submissions against the planning application at the planning meeting by coming into the Council meeting and sitting in the gallery. The submissions come at the beginning of the meeting.

Even if the store is approved by the planning committee, it is not over. The application will have to be considered by the Secretary of State for Local Councils, Eric Pickles. He will take 21 days to consider whether to hold a public inquiry or not into the approval.

Southbank Arts Trail - 8 an 9 May

2010-05-08T10:05:00.000+01:00

The 2010 Southbank Bristol Arts Trail takes place this weekend, 8 and 9 May. This year, over 55 venues will be opening to show the art, performances and other such things of over 150 artists.

Wander the happy streets of Southville, Bedminster and Ashton, pop into homes, churches, bars, cafés, community centres and all kinds of other spots and see some interesting and diverse work.

Trail brochures, with a map, venue details, events listings and the like are available at several venues, including the Southville Centre, which acts as the main hub of the Trail. There you can see over 30 artists, musicians, makers, and all sorts under one roof, grab refreshments and contribute to a message to the future.
It's highly recommened!

Who to vote for in Southville?

2010-05-04T22:46:00.001+01:00

Here at Simply Southville Towers we’ve been giving great thought who to vote for on 6 May. Of course we are voting both for an MP and a city councillor to represent us.

First of all let’s take a look at the Southville ward and the election to Bristol City Council. Well of all the candidates that are standing for Southville, the only one that actually lives in the ward appears to be Tess Green, the Green Party candidate. The other three live in Brislington (Labour) on the Portway (Conservative) and Cotham (Lib Dem).

It is really a two-horse race between Labour and the Greens. In 2006 the Green candidate won by seven votes from Labour, and in 2007 Labour got the seat by six votes ahead of the Greens. Labour candidate, Barbara Brown, has been quiet on the big issue in the ward - the proposed superstore development at Ashton Gate. Tess Green is firmly against it. So Simply Southville says back Tess Green on 6 May.

As for our MP, Labour’s Dawn Primarolo looks to be pretty safe in the Bristol South constituency. But at Simply Southville we say it is maybe time for a change. Labour nationally looks a spent force, so why not consider one of the two Dr Marks. That’s star gazing Lib Dem candidate, Dr Mark Wright, or the Tories hopeful Dr Mark Lloyd Davies. There are five other candidates standing in Bristol South. More details of the candidates and previous results check out the BBC website for our constituency.

A word of thanks to our outgoing Councillor Charlie Bolton. He's stepped down from the council but is the Green candidate for Bristol South.

So, go Green for Southville and vote for a Dr Mark in Bristol South.

Here’s to you Mr Robinson

2010-04-21T23:03:00.000+01:00

Just over the river from Southville tomorrow, the country’s media will descend on Bristol for the second prime ministerial debate. It did seem a little strange tonight to switch on the news and see Nick Robinson (the BBC’s political editor) reporting live from outside the old industrial museum, with the Arnolfini in the background.

For anyone who’s walked past the Arnolfini today they’ll know that the place has been turned into a high security venue. In fact anyone thinking of going into town tomorrow night don’t forget Prince Street Bridge is closed from 7pm to midnight for pedestrians. And road closures around the area start even earlier.

I know Sky is not everyone’s favourite media company, but full marks for them for picking Bristol for this historic event (good job it wasn’t the BBC - it would have picked Bristol and then moved it to Cardiff at the last minute!). So for the next 24 hours Bristol will become the UK’s media focus. What a great opportunity to promote our city, the harbour and of course the Arnolfini itself.

So Simply Southville extends a warm Bristol welcome to Brown, Cameron and Clegg. If any of you fancy a pint and meeting some real voters (who are allowed to speak, cheer and clap) then pop over to North Street and we’ll buy you a pint of Bristol Stout in the Tobacco Factory.

Southville gets into the zone

2010-04-06T22:34:00.000+01:00

Signs heralding the new 20mph zone for Southville start to go up this week and the scheme comes into effect on 19 May.

Where possible signs are being installed on existing poles. However, at some locations the council will install new posts for the 20mph signs. The council has said it has taken every care to locate new posts in a way that minimises their impact on local residents, but some of these will be located directly outside people's homes.

The council will soon deliver letters to the properties affected by this to inform them why the posts and signs are needed and why they have been located where they have. If people have any concerns over the planned locations for the poles and signs then the council will be wiling to meet people to discuss this, and will seek to relocate the signs if at all possible. However, the council has said in order for the speed limit to be enforceable the signing has to meet regulations. So it may not be possible to relocate a specific sign even if concerns are raised.

Art for art's sake

2010-02-28T23:24:00.000Z

Our local Arts Trail will take place on the weekend of 8 and 9 May 2010. You'll be able to see a range of arts and crafts in public places as well as private homes in and around Southville, Bedminster and Ashton.

Council confirms 20mph zone for Southville

2010-02-26T21:30:00.000Z

So a quarter-of-a-million pounds is going to be spent on traffic signs in Southville to tell motorists that the new speed limit in the area is 20mph. No money to actually enforce the new limit or for physical traffic claming measures such as speed bumps. You can't argue with the fact that if you have an accident at 20mph the likely damage to other cars or pedestrians will be less, so from a safety point of view that's good. So will it encourage more people to cycle and walk around the area - one of the other stated aims? We think not. Perhaps proper cycle lanes, more considerate parking at junctions and crossings in better positions would?

Bolton to bow out in May

2010-01-05T20:34:00.000Z

Local Green Councillor, Charlie Bolton has announced on his blog that he is stepping down in May at the local elections. Charlie has served the Southville ward for four years. Tess Green will be the Green Party prospective candidate for Southville. She stood last time, and lost to Labour's Sean Beynon by just six votes.

Read more on Charlie's blog.

Sainsbury's reveal giant store plans for Ashton Gate

2009-12-24T07:20:00.000Z

Well the first news is out on Sainsbury’s proposed store for Ashton Gate. And it’s a whopper! At 9,000 sq metres it is far bigger than its current store and Tesco’s previous proposal for the Gate. There will be a public exhibition at Sainsbury’s Winterstoke Road store and also at the Southville Centre between 22-24 January 2010. Read more on the Evening Post’s website.

So we now know that the Council’s planers had recommended refusal of the Tesco’s proposal, so is this even bigger tin shed doomed to fail? On the face of it the answer seems to be yes. So is Sainsbury wasting its money? Well it wins either way. If the store gets approved it ends up with its biggest shop in the South West. If the planning application fails its wasted some money, but has kept Tesco out of its patch. Perhaps a price worth paying in the long run. No to Tesco 2009, no to Sainsbury 2010? Let’s wait and see what the New Year brings.

Has the Bedminster Bigmouth been outed?

2009-12-23T21:50:00.000Z

For some bizarre reason the Bristol Evening Post decided to give a certain ‘Mike Ford’ a column in its paper every Wednesday. For weeks now Mike Ford has raved and ranted about various groups of people with his face obscured. Not happy with offending people on the paper’s comment boards he now does it in print.

Rumours have been on the web for sometime that he may be a pseudonym for Evening Post reporters that wanted to have a bit of fun. But now there are claims he’s a 21 year old ex-student from UWE.

One way or another the joke is wearing a bit thin. It’s about time we saw Mr Ford’s face in his weekly rant column. There’s an online petition asking the Evening Post to come clean about Mike Ford’s identity. To find out more about the latest rumour about Mike Ford and to sign the petition to the Post, click here.

Ashton superstore on the election agenda.

2009-12-22T21:19:00.000Z

So the election campaign has kicked off in Southville with a couple of electioneering leaflets stuffed through the letterbox of Simply Southville Towers.

First one on the mat was the Southville Rose the organ of ‘Your Labour Team: working hard in Southville and Ashton’. Is it just us but does ‘Southville Rose’ sound like a hooker you’d find in an old wild west saloon. ‘Howday partner, my name’s Southville Rose, can I show you a good time?’

Our MP Dawn Primarolo is now in favour of the proposed Sainsbury’s development at Ashton Gate describing it as a ‘win-win situation’. So Dawn’s in favour despite not seeing the planning application. Bit of a turnaround from the Tesco application when her silence was deafening for months. Young Sean Benyon says: ‘On the face of it these proposls make much more sense.’

Comedy quote from Southville Rose is Young Sean commenting on the new 20 MPH zone for Southville saying: ’ Locally, Labour have been campaigning for lower speed limits for years.’ So why didn’t you introduce them when Labour was in power in Bristol, preferred to wait until the Lib Dems took over? Please rearrange this quote: ‘on jump bandwagon the’.

Next on the mat was the Bristol Reporter from the Lib Dems, well at least we think it’s the Lib Dems as they’ve decided to put out their four page newsletter with a blue masthead. What’s wrong with your goldy, yellowy, wee in the snow colour? Perhaps you think Tory voters are so stupid that they’ll be tricked into voting for you?

One things for sure you you’ll know that ’councillor’, ’south Bristolian’, ’prospective Lib Dem MP’ , ‘local campaigner‘, ‘south Bristol’s next MP’, ‘astrophysicist’, ‘astronomer’ Mark Wright is standing for parliament for the Lib Dems. There’s even eight, rather cheesy, campaign pictures of Dr Mark so you can see what he looks like.

On the Ashton Gate superstore saga Dr Mark says: ‘The effects of moving Sainsbury’s there will depend on how big the new store is. If it is huge, it would be little different to the Tesco plan. If it is more modest [ed - do you get ‘modest’ superstores?] there might not be any problems.’ Oh come on. It’s going to be bigger than the current Sainsbury’s store (that was just a bit smaller than the proposed Tesco Extra) and will still have the same problems about transport, air quality and being against the Council’s own core strategy.

As for the Tories, nothing from them yet. Will they becoming out to play in Southville? And nothing yet from the Greens, perhaps they are still deciding on whether the environmental impact of producing election leaflets is against their core beliefs?

Truth is out - planners said no to Tesco at Ashton Gate

2009-12-07T20:46:00.001Z

Winter is generally a time for hibernation, but anti-Tesco campaign BERATE has risen from its slumber to report on the detailed planning report on the now scrapped proposal to build a Tesco at Ashton Gate. The report would have gone to the Council's planning development committee on 5 November and the planners had said ‘no’.

You can read a summary of the findings on the BERATE website and find a link to the full report. So what does this mean for Sainsbury’s when they put forward their proposal next spring to build a giant store at Ashton Gate? One thing is for sure, it is far, far from being a ‘done deal’.

Prostitution and drugs in our area

2009-11-27T20:40:00.000Z

A three part BBC drama is being filmed in Bristol, telling a story about the lives of young women who are involved with drugs and prostitution. Part of the filming is planned for the beginning of January on Ashton Road, Duckmoor Road and Durnford Street which includes late night filming.

The area would not be identifiable as being in Bristol and the police are aware of the proposed shoot. Filming will take place over five days, on the 7 January during the day and from 11-14 January from 4pm to 4am. The production team have said they are keen to liaise with local residents to discuss the practicalities of filming on their roads and get any questions answered and requirements taken into consideration.

A bridge too far...

2009-11-13T21:58:00.000Z

... for cars in the future. According to the Evening Post Prince Street Bridge will be closed to cars within four years to make way for the new bendy-bus route.

The bridge closure will be part of a Transport and Works Act Order to be submitted by Bristol and North Somerset councils early in the new year. The order will provide the legal consent to build the £48 million first rapid transit route in Bristol, which is hoped to be up and running by 2013.

Big Five with George Ferguson

2009-11-12T22:44:00.001Z

Southville's favourite architect, George Ferguson, is appearing on BCfm's 'Big Five' programme tomorrow night at 9pm. Hosted by Southville based presenter, Andrew Parsonage (pictured), the show asks people to list the five moments that changed their life and the music that reminds them of those times.

For more information on the Big Five, take a look at Bristol Community radio's website. You can hear the show on 93.2fm.

Wear one with pride

2009-11-06T23:52:00.000Z

Simply Southville says: 'don't forget to buy a poppy and remember the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our country'.

5,000 turn up for new stadium planning meeting

2009-11-06T23:37:00.001Z

OK so they didn't all turn up in person (we'd have to build a new council HQ on the green belt to accommodate that many!) but they were watching online. Connect Bristol reports that more than 5,000 people logged on to the Council's live webcast of the planning meeting to decide the fate of the new stadium. That's a big boost for e-democracy!

I'm sure by now you know the outcome - stadium gets go ahead, but part of the housing element refused - so I won't go into detail here. But how things have changed. Not only could I watch the meeting live, I was also getting a range of instant opinion live through Twitter.

What a week!

2009-10-29T21:36:00.000Z

Last week battle lines were drawn and all sides of the 'Tesco at Ashton Gate' debate were preparing for a final push before Bristol City Council's planning committee meeting on 5 November. Well what a major change in such a short period of time.

$teve Lansdown and City decide that they want Sainsbury not Tesco for Ashton Gate. Planning meeting postponed and then the application is withdrawn. Planners recommend a 'yes' to the stadium but not all the housing that goes with the scheme. And BERATE decide its work is done and announce it is disbanding.

Simply Southville would like to pay tribute to BERATE and especially Chris and Tom who have given so much time to the campaign. BERATE wanted to stop Tesco and a third superstore in greater Bedminster. It did it.

We will have to see what the Sainsbury application brings and there will still be community concerns about traffic, pollution and the impact on local stores. Simply Southville will be watching! However, it has to be better than what was originally proposed by City and Tesco.

Will there be a BERATE2? Who knows?

Follow Simply Southville on Twitter

2009-10-29T21:00:00.000Z

You can now hear the latest thoughts from Simply Southville Towers on Twitter.

So if you're a tweeter why not follow us online.

Now you see him, now you don't

2009-10-28T23:12:00.001Z

Illusionist Derren Brown returned to Bristol on Sunday night to perform unannounced at the Tobacco Factory in Southville. Brown studied at Bristol University and lived in Clifton after graduating in 1994.

He was third on the bill at the Raleigh Road theatre to fellow magicians Peter Clifford and Peter Wardell.

Recently we've had Peter Andre at Asda, Derren Brown at the 'Baccy Factory, who's next? Cheryl Cole at the Spotted Cow!

More twists and turns in superstore saga

2009-10-26T20:21:00.000Z

We find out today that the planning application for a foodstore at Ashton Gate (but not Tesco) will now be heard at the Planning Committee meeting on 11 November, rather than the 'special' meeting that has been cancelled on 5 November.

Here's a statement on Bristol City's website.

It's game over for Tesco!

2009-10-24T16:47:00.001+01:00

It's all change on the superstore front! Last night the council announced that the special meeting to consider Tesco's planning application on 5 November was cancelled without an explanation given. This was followed up today with the Evening Post suggesting that Bristol City has now struck a deal with rivals Sainsbury's. It wants to relocate it's Winterstoke Road store to Ashton Gate. Struth what a 24 hours! So did $teve Lansdown know that the Tesco proposal was likely to fail because the area already has enough supermarkets?

So for the immediate future its good news that the Tesco proposal looks to be dead and buried. But we will have to wait to see what Sainsbury's want with the site. It looks likely that any planning proposal from Sainsbury's won't materialise until spring next year.

You can read the full story on the Evening Post website.

Bristol blogosphere buzzes with Tesco talk

2009-10-23T22:17:00.000+01:00

Harold Wilson once said ’A week is a long time in politics’. Well having been away from the keyboard at Simply Southville Towers we’ve had a bit of catching up to do with cyber comment on the proposed Tesco development at A$hton Gate.

Having had a summer sabbatical Southvile Roads blog sprang back into action to comment on the sudden appearance of yellow lines around A$hton Gate making match day parking more difficult. Perhaps they need a new stadium. Strange.

On the BERATE website we find out that God is now on the side of the anti-Tesco campaign, as Bedminster Churches condemn the superstore plan.

At long last our local MP Dawn Primarolo has come off the fence on the Tesco issue and is now swinging on the gate. The Evening Post reports: ‘Ms Primarolo says in a statement: "I would prefer to see affordable and social housing at Ashton Gate. I do not believe there is a shortage of supermarkets in the area. Bristol City Football Club own the majority of the land on the site and I accept that they need to maximise the return for the sale of this site, in order to build the new stadium. This stadium would be fantastic for the future of our city, and is essential to progressing the World Cup bid. It is for members of the Development Control Committee to decide on the appropriateness of this application." See why she’s a politician? She’s tried to appease everyone in one statement. No outright ‘no’ to the superstore, just a ‘prefer’ to see houses. Roll on the election.

The Bristol Blogger reports on the Council trying to sell its share of the A$hton Gate site to the multi-millionaire Lansdown on the cheap. You have to read the comments alongside this post to see some of our elected members squirm and spin. The Bristol Blogger also reports on the growing wealth of Steve ‘there is no other way to fund this stadium, honest Guv’ Lansdown. And for a bit of fun the BB has created a make-your-own-mock-Bristol-City-need-a-store poster. Hours of fun.

Simply Southville says, 'No to a suprstore and no to Tesco'.

Girls get naked if Tesco stopped

2009-10-12T21:38:00.000+01:00

Malago Women's Institute members have pledged to produce a nude calendar if the planning application for a new superstore at Ashton Gate is rejected by the Bristol City Council planning committee on 5 November.

Simply Southville isn't sure this will be a critical move in the planning battle, but as they say, 'every little helps'!

New petrol station for Southville

2009-10-06T21:50:00.000+01:00

The Asda supermarket on Coronation Road has started work on a new petrol station in its car park. Here at Simply Southville we have mixed views about the development. On the plus side it will mean a cheap supply of petrol for local residents. On the minus side it means a loss of spaces in the car park, which can get very busy at times, and may lead to more trips into the area as motorists seek a cheaper fill-up.

Can't help thinking is Asda trying to protect its customer base, with the threat of a Tesco at Ashton Gate (complete with its own petrol forecourt)?

BOB's back this Saturday

2009-09-25T21:08:00.000+01:00

Best of Bedminster (BOB) Show takes place on Saturday 26 September from 10.30am to 3.30pm on North Street Green. There will be all the usual competitions including best jam, best wildlife photo, best cake and best mini garden, as well as stalls from local environmental groups, a Dr Bike session, refreshments from the Malago WI, entertainment, games and all round fun.

Every little helps to see through the Tesco spin

2009-09-24T22:29:00.000+01:00

If there's something strange in your neighbouhood? Who you gonna call? Spinbusters.

Well when it comes to a proposed giant superstore development at Ashton Gate, who do you believe? Bristol City, Tesco or BERATE the campaign group against the development. Well now the planning application is in, Bristol City Council has employed a firm of consultants to give them an independent view. To see through the spin.

DPDS Regional Limited have had a look at the application and this is what its found.

Spin - The area needs a new store
Busted - The application has not demonstrated a retail need for the development.

Spin - A new store won't impact on the existing stores
Busted - yes it would. Taking trade from Sainsbury, Asda and local retailers.

Spin - The store is accessible
Busted - Yes but only by car. It offers poor access by walking, cycling and public transport.

Spin - It will create 400 jobs
Busted - The jobs created by Tesco would be off set by job losses elsewhere.

Spin - The store boosts economic and physical regeneration?
Busted - The application offers no evidence for these benefits, and therefore the council should give little weight to this arguments.

You can read the full report online.

The report concludes that without the case put for this to be an enabling development for the new stadium, its analysis would point to a refusal of planning permission. This means that the Planning Committee has to weigh up the benefits of a new stadium against the harm to Southville, Ashton and Bedminster and the vitaility of the current retailers in the area.

It's not a knock out blow to the development. But it is a pretty hefty right hook. If you are against the proposal don't sit back. Keep campaigning, Keep saying TesNo!

Read more about this story on the Evening Post website and on Bristol 24/7.

Big turnout at public meeting for Tesco development

2009-09-17T22:46:00.008+01:00

Just back from the BERATE public meeting and impressed to see a full house (well church) with around 200 people attending the meeting. Shame it wasn't 202 people but our MP, Dawn Primarolo and Bristol City Chief Executive, Colin Sexstone, couldn't make it!

Although the meeting was open to pro and anti Tesco supporters, during the hour-and-a-half meeting not one person stood up in favour of the development. Even with the assurance of two police officers in the room!

The BERATE campaign refreshed its arguments against the store, which I won't repeat here ( see previous posts on Simply Southville or visit the BERATE website). However, Simply Southville did find out some of the interesting new facts and news. These are:

The traffic assessment provided for the application by BCFC looks a bit shaky and nobody has done any work on what a new 30,000 stadium at Ashton Vale and a Tesco store would mean on match days in the future.

As well as the 900+ e-signatures on the petition on the council's website there are a further 1,200 on a paper petition.

George Ferguson announced that he and a fellow architect are going to donate time from their respective practices to provide an alternative sustainable vision for the Ashton Gate site. This will be complete with a proposed commercial value for such a development.

City and its spin doctors are offering pre-paid letters for people to sign and send in to support the development.

The Tesco proposal is an 'enabling' application, meaning that it is formally linked to the stadium development.

I believe (but not 100 per cent sure) Southville's two city councillors were in the audience, but neither decided to make a comment or ask a question. Strange for politicians!?!

So the fight continues and it was good to see new people coming along tonight to join the campaign. It's not too late to write in and oppose this application.

BERATE launches anti-superstore film

2009-09-16T18:22:00.006+01:00

Local documentary film maker, Lucy Swingler, has produced a new film that documents the campaign to prevent the building of a giant Tesco Extra superstore at Ashton Gate Stadium.

You can watch the film now on YouTube.

During the 10 minute film, local residents and shop keepers in North Street, Southville, describe the history of the street, their shops and the area, and explain why its such a great community to be part of. They also explain why they don't want the new superstore at the stadium site and what they would like to see there instead.

Lucy, who has worked on a range of historical and factual programmes says that she was motivated to create the film after talking to shop keepers about their worries over the store. She says: 'I use the North Street shops a lot, so I wanted to show the real fear that some have that a store will put their livelihoods at risk and jeopardise the regeneration that's taken place here. I also wanted to capture the central role that North Street now plays in the community.'

The film will be shown publicly for the first time at the meeting arranged for tomorrow night at St.Francis's Church on North Street (7.30pm). Local politicians, councillors and members of the city's planning committee, as well as a representative from Bristol City Football Club and local community groups have been invited to come along to discuss the proposed store and see the film.

Chris Uttley, speaking for the campaign said: 'We hope the film will be viewed as part of our submission to the planning application. Hopefully it demonstrates to the council and others the human face behind the damage that we believe the store will do to our community and why we value what we have now a great deal.'

The critical 20 per cent

2009-09-15T21:00:00.005+01:00

Great posting by the Bristol Blogger pointing out that Bristol City only own 80 per cent of the site at Ashton Gate. Who owns the critical 20 per cent that links the stadium with Winterstoke Road? The council does. Now that makes things interesting!

Bristol Blogger updates the story...

Congratulations to BERATE on human juggernaut

2009-09-15T20:40:00.004+01:00

It was great to see the big turnout for Saturday's protest against the proposed giant superstore development at Ashton Gate. The march got good coverage across local TV, radio, press and online. In this day and age to get 200 people to a demonstration on a Saturday morning is no mean feat. Claims by those supporting the Tesco development that 'it's just a few NIMBYs that object' are clearly wrong.

It's not too late to submit comments to the council's planning department if you object about the scheme and its impact on the area.

20 mph - an even bigger waste of money!

2009-09-02T22:36:00.005+01:00

It appears Simply Southville made a mistake in criticising the City Council for wasting £35,000 on two new 20mph zones in the city, including one proposed for Southville (see yesterday's story)

Councillor Jon Rogers (the City Council's cabinet member for transport) has told Simply Southville that the correct cost of the proposals is £350,000, not £35,000. Yes over a third-of-a-million pounds for speed limit signs but with no resources to enforce the 20mph limit.

The Council is consulting on its proposals until the 1 October. You can find more details abouth the consultation on its website. We'll be making our opinion known, will you?

Southville Carnival - but strings attached

2009-09-02T22:26:00.004+01:00

On Sunday 6 September the streets around the Tobacco Factory in Southville will come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the first ever Creatures of Southville Carnival.

This is the finale of the Bristol Festival of Puppetry. So look out for all types of creatures winding their way through the streets of Southville in a party of colour, music and song. More details on the Tobacco Factory's website.

Southville's 20mph scheme a waste of money

2009-09-01T21:21:00.008+01:00

Safer roads, more cyclists and easier to walk around the area. All good stuff and the City Council hopes that its plans to put a 20mph speed limit on Southville's streets will help achieve this. On the surface it seems like a winner, but when you think about it there seems to be some major flaws in its objective to: '...make walking and cycling around these areas safe and more attractive thereby encouraging more people to walk and cycle around their own community.

The Council are spending £35,000 on two schemes in the city. This involves putting up 20mph signs in every street... and that's about it. No plans to enforce the new limits and no traffic calming measures. It is also not imposing the 20mph zone on the area's busiest roads - the ones that are the most tricky to cross and if your a cyclist probably the most dangerous to ride on! They also tend do be the ones by shops and schools.

On its own website the Council says the scheme will work best on roads where the average speed is 24mph. So in these difficult financial times its proposing spending all this money to reduce speed (if anyone takes any notice of the signs) by 4mph. Do we really need hundreds of new street signs in the area for a flawed scheme, where let's face it, in the narrow streets with parking on both sides it's pretty difficult to go much above 20 anyway.

If the Council really wants to get more people cycling and walking here's some suggestions on how it could work in Southville.

Save the money on all these signs and put in some proper traffic calming measures. Including pedestrian crossings where people actually cross the road.

Stop people parking right up to the junction or even across it! The majority of accidents and near misses I've seen in Southville are because motorists views are blocked as they try and come out of junctions. A few double yellow lines around the corners at junctions would alleviate this.

More walking? Then let's give the pavements back to pedestrians. Stopping cars parking at the junctions would help. Encouraging people not to park on pavements would also help as would unblocking pavements of wheelie bins left out all week. In some cases vulnerable people - the blind, those in wheelchairs or with walking aids, and mums pushing prams -are forced onto the road because of these blockages.

So come on Bristol City Council don't impose all these signs on the community when it will have no or little effect. If you want more people to walk give them unblocked pavements and proper crossings. If you want more people to cycle, bite the bullet and invest in some proper cycle lanes. If you want drivers to slow down, put traffic claming measures in the area's busiest roads.

BERATE juggernaut rolled out to demonstrate

2009-09-01T21:17:00.002+01:00

BERATE is holding a public 'juggernaut' event on 12 September on North Street and Ashton Road. The walk starts at North Street Green at 10.30am and demonstrators will walk the length of North Street leading then to the entrance of Bristol City's ground on Ashton Road.

BERATE announce public meeting in September

2009-08-25T21:24:00.000+01:00

BERATE the campaign group opposed to the proposed Tesco development at Ashton Gate is holding a public meeting on 17 September 2009. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is being held at St Frances Church in North Street.

Come and find out more about the BERATE campaign against the proposed giant superstore development at Ashton Gate.

TesNO - tell the planners what you think

2009-08-24T21:03:00.006+01:00

At long last the speculation is over and we now know what the proposed Tesco development at Ashton Gate is all about. You can full details of the giant superstore at Bristol City Council's planning website.

Comments about the application must be submitted in writing quoting the application number 09/03208/P. You can do it online: PublicAccess for Planning; by email: development.management@bristol.gov.uk; or in writing to: City Development, Brunel House, St George's Road, Bristol, BS1 5UY.

The application is due to be discussed at the South and East Development Control Meeting on 5 November at 6pm. So it is due to be heard the day before Bristol's final World Cup has to be submitted - so no pressure there then!

Nearer to the time a letter will be sent to everyone who has commented on the application to confirm these details and to invite them to this public meeting.

So people of Southville, this is your chance to make a difference. Read the proposals and if you are worried about the impact of this development on North Street, the environment, the lives of people living next to the proposed store and the fact that we don't need a giant Tesco because we are already well served by supermarkets. Write in and object.

Thirty minutes of your time now may make all the difference and avoid a mistake we'll all have to live with forever.

Tesco planning application submitted

2009-08-14T10:56:00.004+01:00

Details are a little sketchy at the moment, but Simply Southville has learnt that the planning application for the giant Tesco superstore at Ashton Gate has arrived at the council. What's known so far is:

'Supermarket floor area: 8,400 sqm net [ed- that's about 90,000 square feet!], plus 2,000 sqm covered service yard and petrol station at southern end of site - 539 car parking spaces, 20 - 30 cycle spaces. The plans would feature 2 vehicular accesses: at the south of the site (onto Winterstoke Road) and at the northern end of the site onto Ashton Road [ed -Ashton Road entrance not in the original plan]. At our request (city council) a pedestrian / cycle footway is incorporated along the western boundary of the site, next to Colliter's Brook.
The application is in outline with access and layout specified. All other matters (appearance, landscaping and scale) are reserved.'

The council should publish full details on its website in the next couple of days. We'll be watching!

Southville bus route cut!

2009-08-13T22:18:00.004+01:00

Bad news for public transport in Southville! Proposals to withdraw the bus service (25) from Greville Street, Beauley Road and Raleigh Road in Southville has been confirmed by First Bus. The changes come into effect from September 27. First Bus claims there are alternative stops between 300m and 800m away from the sections of road no longer served. Read more about the 24/25 route changes on its website.

See Southville gardens this Sunday

2009-08-13T22:05:00.003+01:00

On Sunday 16 August, 19 gardens in the Southville area are open for you to visit. Most of the gardens are open between 11am and 6pm, but you need to check the programme for exact times. For more information go to the event's website.

Also, between noon and 3pm, Avon Wildlife Trust will be offering wildlife friendly gardening advice at the Southville Centre.

Banksy, but without the queue

2009-08-11T22:17:00.010+01:00

Simply Southville has eventually got round to visiting the Banksy exhibition at the city museum and can highly recommend it. However, based on the 'three-hour queue' stories got up there at 1pm and waited for about an hour and 45 minutes to get in. Not too bad I thought.

However, as I waited it became clear that the overall queue was dwindling. When I'd looked round the exhibition and came out at 3.45pm there was only about 30 or so people waiting to get in. I'm sure they'd all be in within a quarter of an hour.

The exhibition has a last entry at 4.30pm and closes at 5pm. I walked past the museum again at 4.25pm and guess what? No queue, you could walk straight in.

So if you've been put off by the stories about never-ending queues, go late in the day and if today was a good example, you'll get in pretty quickly. One word of warning though, Wednesday is late night viewing so the 4pm(ish) quick entry might not work so well.

Southville's summer sky

2009-08-09T23:36:00.000+01:00

Well the sky over Southville was the place to watch this weekend. We had a giant yellow turtle floating by, accompanied by nearly 100 hot-air balloons of all shapes and sizes. On Saturday afternoon the Red Arrows treated Southville residents to a display of flying and Thursday and Saturday nights the skies were lit up by fireworks.

All of this because of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (6-8 August) in neighbouring Ashton Court. One of the bonuses of living in Southville.

Zambia comes to Southville

2009-08-03T22:15:00.002+01:00

Local project Creative Kids International is bringing a bit of Zambia to BS3 this weekend with a fundraising show at the Tobacco Factory. There's a Zambian-themed fashion show at 7pm, followed by afro-jazz group Helele at 9pm. Tickets are available from the Tobacco Factory box office - 0117 902 0344. There's also a free part to the event from 4pm where you can browse stalls selling clothes and accessories.

Creative Kids International links children in Bristol and Lusaka, Zambia through visual art workshops in both countries.

Labour councillors oppose Tesco, or do they?

2009-07-31T00:07:00.001+01:00

BERATE has today published a copy of a letter that our three local labour councillors (Mark Bradshaw and Colin Smith in Bedminster; and Sean Beynon in Southville) have sent to Tesco Chief Executive, Sir Terry Leahy. At last they have appeared to have jumped off the fence and come out against the proposed development at Ashton Gate. Three cheers? But hang on a minute is that what they really mean?

After a bit of preliminary waffle in their letter they say in the fifth paragraph that: 'We have several Tesco Extra stores in the City and we understand the format; the standard template for such a store would, in our view, not be appropriate for Ashton Gate'. So far, so good.

They add: 'There is a balance between independent businesses and national brands. This balance has served our community well (and already includes two Tesco Express stores) but the scale and product depth of an Extra format store runs the risk of weakening this range of local provision, both food and non-food.' Promising?

They continue by saying: 'Bristol already has a major part of the City designated as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and there are real concerns that congestion and air pollution pressures will grow if an Extra store is built given the scale of parking offered and the destination nature of such a store'. Well said. And they also describe: '... engagement with the community as weak and incomplete.'

So there can be no doubt then our three labour councillors will join Charlie Bolton in opposing a supermarket development at Ashton Gate? Well, maybe no.

In the penultimate paragraph of their letter to Tesco they say: 'We ask that your application should include a mix of affordable and other tenure residential space'. So is the reality that they are happy to support a Tesco store at Ashton Gate providing it drops the 'Extra' title and there are a few flats thrown in for good measure?

A conspiracy theorist might suggest that perhaps the 'South Bristol Three' have had early site of a slightly watered down planning application and are ready to claim credit for changing Tesco's mind. Well of course we'd never suggest such a thing at Simply Southville.

What we want to see at Ashton Gate is affordable housing and no supermarket!

Whether it is a Tesco Extra or just a large Tesco the potential negative effect on small independent shops remain and it would be a wasted opportunity for Bristol City's current ground.

Why not read the letter on the BERATE website and leave a comment here at Simply Southville to say if you agree with our view.

BERATE message delivered across south Bristol

2009-07-29T23:05:00.005+01:00

BERATE, the campaign group opposed to the proposed Tesco development at Ashton Gate, is this week getting its message out to over 10,000 homes in Ashton, Southville and Bedminster. A leaflet outlining BERATE's opposition to the development is being delivered across the Greater Bedminster area urging people to sign a petition against the giant superstore and asking them to write to the council and their local councillors.

The leaflet has a 'Tesno' poster on one side, which is beginning to appear in windows across the area. It also contains BERATE's three main reasons why it, and its supporters, think the superstore is a bad idea. These are:

The area is already well supplied with supermarkets and a new giant superstore would have a detrimental effect on the small independent shops in the area.

The development will increase traffic congestion, worsen air quality and make the streets around the area less safe.

A large superstore on a giant car park is a poor use of the site. What the are needs is affordable housing and better community facilities.

Of course let's not forget the effect on the residents that live next to the proposed development which is likely to be a 24-7 store serviced by a flet of lorries. Not to mention a new petrol station.

You can sign the petition at several shops in North Street, or online at Bristol City Council's website. You can also voice your objections to our two ward councillors. Charlie Bolton, who has already made it quite clear he's opposed to this development (charles.bolton@bristol.gov.uk); and Sean Beynon who has yet to show his cards on this issue (sean.beynon@bristol.gov.uk). Let's hope Sean's Bristol City season ticket doesn't sway him from doing the right thing for his constituents?

Southville club for people with memory impairment

2009-07-28T22:50:00.000+01:00

The Southville Centre in Beauly Road plays host to a monthly Memory Cafe that provides support and information with people with memory impairment and their carers. The next two meetings are on 25 August and 27 September, both running from 10am to noon.

Over a 1,000 sign to say 'no' to Tesco

2009-07-22T17:55:00.004+01:00

BERATE has just announced that the online and paper petitions have already collected over a 1,000 signatures against the proposed giant superstore at Ashton Gate. Read more on the BERATE website and on Bristol 24-7, the city's independent news site.

BERATE developing startegy to tackle superstore development

2009-07-18T23:09:00.002+01:00

BERATE the campaign group set up to oppose the proposed development of a giant Tesco superstore at Ashton Gate is rapidly gaining support among the local community. Local residents; city councillors past and present; and local business people have come together to draw up plans to fight the development.

A steering group has been formed and resources are being divided between running a publicity campaign to make the public aware of BERATE's opposition to the giant superstore; a campaign to lobby the city council over the proposals; and developing a strategy to challenge the Tesco development through the planning process.

BERATE has already developed its own blog and a Twitter site. It also has a Facebook group with nearly 300 people already signed up to support the campaign. If you want to show your support to BERATE's campaign, why not print off its latest poster and display in your window.

New recruit at Simply Southville

2009-07-16T21:58:00.002+01:00

Here at Simply Southville HQ we're delighted to announce a new arrival. Our baby daughter was born on 15 July, weighing in at 7lbs 12ozs. So the local population has increased by one but don't expect to read her first posting for a few years!

Lucky escape from New Cut mud

2009-07-12T19:03:00.004+01:00

A man in his 30s had a lucky escape when he got stuck in the mud in the Avon New Cut. Fire crews turned up in Coronation Road after the man was spotted late last night. Fire and Rescue staff had to use ropes and lines to rescue the man, who was taken to hospital as a precaution.

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Firefighters managed to navigate the steep banks and rescue the casualty from the mud.' Nobody seems to know how the man became stuck or what he was doing at the time.

Big Chill comes to Bristol

2009-07-11T23:17:00.003+01:00

Dave Smeaton and James Savage who run the Spotted Cow in North Street (one of Simply Southville's favourite local boozers) are the men behind bringing one of the festival circuits coolest names to the city. In October a Big Chill bar is opening in Small Street in the centre and if it's anything like the annual festival and the 'brands' London bars we're in for a treat.

'City must not sell its soul' - Ferguson's Evening Post column

2009-07-11T21:54:00.010+01:00

Distinguished architect and Southville resident, George Ferguson, has used his Evening Post column today to voice his opposition to Bristol City's plans to sell Ashton Gate to supermarket giant Tesco. George makes it clear that he's not anti City and that he wants to see the World Cup come to Bristol. But he says that we shouldn't 'sell our souls to achieve it'.

He describes the proposed massive superstore as 'a terrifying threat to Ashton's economy and environment'. He also urges that the new stadium and Ashton Gate developments must be viewed separately.

Simply Southville urges anyone interested in this development to read the Evening Post article. Well done George!

Labour councillors sit firmly on the fence over Ashton Gate

2009-07-08T23:02:00.003+01:00

BERATE asked our four local councillors what their view were on the Tesco development at Ashton Gate. Southville Green Councillor, Charlie Bolton, is quite clear. He's against it. Simply Southville says well done Charlie. We know where you stand and we appreciate that.

However, out three Labour councillors are sitting firmly on the fence. Unable to reply in their own right they drafted a joint response. Lots of waffle that says very little. Come on fellas are you for or against? What's wrong, need a focus group to inform your view? Or has your Whip told you to keep your heads down until the World Cup bid is in? Read their 'statement' at the BERATE website.

Civic Society warns Tesco 'death knoll' for North Street

2009-07-08T21:30:00.003+01:00

Bristol Civic Society has come out against a superstore development at Ashton Gate. The 100 year old society is an independent, voluntary organisation that exists to improve Bristol’s built environment and celebrate its heritage.

In a statement reported today it says: 'The Tesco proposal is contrary to long-established national planning principles because it would create an imbalance of choice between superstores and small traders. North Street is becoming revitalised as an independent shopping centre of distinction. Another giant Tesco would be its death knoll.'

The Society adds: 'The supermarket proposal is unwelcome and inappropriate. It must not be the price of a new stadium.'

Evening Post gives space to anti-Tesco view at last

2009-07-07T22:24:00.003+01:00

Having spun out a rosy picture about the Tesco development for the past few weeks, the Post has at last reported that not everyone is happy with the proposed superstore at Ashton Gate. In an article today it featured BERATE and its campaign against the Tesco proposal.

E-petition launched against Tesco development

2009-07-06T20:36:00.004+01:00

Local councillor, Charlie Bolton, has set up an e-petition on behalf of BERATE for people to register their opposition to the proposed Tesco development at Ashton Gate. So if you haven't signed one of the paper petitions why not do it online? Let's make sure the city council knows the level of opposition to this proposal. Every name counts.

More from the BERATE meeting on 3 July

2009-07-05T22:28:00.002+01:00

It was slightly disappointing that none of the four councillors that represent Southville and Bedminster wards attended the meeting last night. As far as I know as least two had given their apologies. However, Mark Wright, the Lib Dem Councillor for Cabot Ward did attend. So fair play to him.

It also appears that two of our four local councillors are Bristol City season ticket holders and so won’t be able to participate or vote in any decisions about the future use of Ashton Gate. This is because they are deemed to have an interest in the result of the planning application.

It looks that there will be another ‘consultation’ event at Ashton Gate on Tuesday 7 July at 7pm. A few of the residents that live close to the ground have had a letter, but many have not? What is City and its PR spin doctors up to?

Word is that the Tesco planning application will be submitted at the end of July and the formal planning consultation will take place from mid August to early September. Simply Southville will of course highlight any developments on this front. With the World Cup looming it looks like the planning application will be dealt with very quickly. Perhaps by the end of October?

Walking around Southville today I was pleased to see BERATE posters starting to appear in windows and there is already a BERATE petition in the Southville Deli. The campaign is starting to gain momentum, but we don’t have a minute to lose.

Double bar boost to North Street

2009-07-05T20:59:00.003+01:00

The recession might be setting in but two of the bars in North Street are being revamped. The ever popular Lounge is currently expanding into a third shop. It currently occupies 227/229 North Street and is in the process of extending into 231.

On the other side of the street at 220, the old Quba Ice bar has been extended out the back and is being completely refurbished. When it reopens it will be known as the Terrace Cafe.

BERATE launched to oppose Tesco development

2009-07-03T23:50:00.001+01:00

BERATE (Bedminster Residents Against Tesco’s Expansion into Ashton Gate) was formally launched at public meeting at the Southville Centre on Friday 3 July. Nearly 70 people attended the meeting, a mix or residents and business people from Southville, Bedminster and Ashton Gate (the 'Bedmisnter' in BERATE refers to the Greater Bedminster area).

The main aims of the Group are to:

Use the planning process to oppose the proposed Tesco Superstore at Ashton Gate; and
To redress the media coverage so far, so both sides of the argument can be heard.

Work on the second aim has already started with BERATE organiser, Chris Uttley, being interviewed on Star 107.2FM and Original 106.5 FM. BERATE also got a mention on Bristol 24-7 the city's new online news website.

To get more information and to join the BERATE mailing list email berate_ashtongate@hotmail.com

More news on BERATE's first meeting tomorrow...

'Lazy Sunday' in the park - Sun 5 July

2009-06-30T22:34:00.004+01:00

Greville Smyth Park's ever-popular event 'Lazy Sunday' is on 5 July (2-5pm). There will be a BBQ, cafe selling tea and cakes and new for this year a bar selling cold beers, Pimms and soft drinks. Live music, children's games plus a free BMX bike course and trampoline

The event is not-for profit but any proceeds will go into further park improvements

Public meeting about Tesco development

2009-06-29T22:09:00.002+01:00

BERATE(Bedminster Residents Against Tesco’s Expansion into Ashton Gate)

A meeting is being held at 7.30pm on Friday 3 July at the Southville Centre. If you want to do your bit to help oppose this development, please come along.

Help Southville's Faithspace win £5,000

2009-06-21T22:06:00.002+01:00

The Bristol Evening Post's 'Building Healthy Communities' campaign has shortlisted ten Bristol projects that could win a £5,000 makeover. One of them is our very own Faithspace on Stackpool Road. Up to 29 June the Post is printing coupons that you can submit for your favourite project. The project with the most 'points' wins the five grand! There are also runner up prizes of £2,000 and £1,000.

So if you get the Post, why not collect the coupons and send them in for Faithspace? Winners announced on 1 July,

Tesco arrongance...

2009-06-20T20:29:00.002+01:00

Nearly forgot. I overheard the Tesco representative at the Ashton Gate consultation event on Saturday saying: ' Poor families wouldn't be able to afford HD televisions or go on holidays if it wasn't for supermarkets'. Can you get more patronising?

Consultation event for new Tesco superstore

2009-06-20T20:18:00.002+01:00

Well I went down to Ashton Gate this morning to look at the details for the proposed new Tesco on the stadium site. I found it rather patronising to be told that a new Tesco superstore would be good for my community and give me more choice because both Sainsburys and Asda are overcrowded.

The event was ran by Trimedia one of the UK's leading public relations agencies. The feedback form was deliberately worded to give a 'favourable' response for Tesco/City. The event was about a new Tesco superstore on the site but the questions asked was: 'Do you support Bristol City Football Club's ambitions for a new stadium'. Well I'm sure most people do, but not at any cost.

If we are to stop this development we need to get organised, and get organised quickly

Consultation open for bus route changes

2009-06-15T22:26:00.003+01:00

If you want to have a say on the proposed changes to the 24/25 route in Southville, then click here for the consultation pages. Let First Bus know what you think of the proposed cuts to Greville Street, Beauly Road and Raleigh Road.

Proposed changes to Southville bus service, and it's not good!

2009-06-12T21:48:00.004+01:00

Local Green Councillor, Charlie Bolton, has highlighted on his blog that First Bus is proposing changes to the 24/25 bus route through Southville. And Simply Southville doesn't like the proposals.

The key issue is buses will not serve Raleigh Road, Beauley Road and Greville Street. The closest proposed bus stops are between approximately 300 and 800 metres away. In addition, a section of Luckwell Road (between North Street and Duckmoor Road) would also not be served.

Read more on Charlie's blog and let him know what you think.

Southville Centre's Summer School

2009-06-11T20:27:00.002+01:00

The Evening Post has reported that the Southville Centre is looking for course instructors, workshop tutors, fun day organisers and children's activity leaders to be part of its Summer School during August this year. Read more on the Post's website.

Tobacco Factory's summer street party

2009-06-08T22:02:00.006+01:00

Southville's favourite community market gets expanded to a street party on 14 June. Starting at 10.30am the event runs through to 4.30pm. Let's hope we see some sun!

Do we really need a giant Tesco?

2009-06-08T20:38:00.007+01:00

By now most people will have heard that Bristol City wants to fund its move to a new stadium by selling its current ground, Ashton Gate, to Tesco. The Evening Post carried this story at the end of May.

In the Greater Bedminster area (including Southville) we already have Sainsbury, Asda, Aldi and Lidl supermarkets. Just for good measure we also have Tesco Metro's in North Street and West Street. So by any standards we're pretty well catered for.

I don't have a problem with City moving to a new stadium but I do have a problem with them selling out the community that has hosted them for years. The original plan was to sell the site for housing, something positive for the community that would help the small shops and pubs around the stadium. Instead because of the financial climate City now know it can get more by flogging the ground to Tesco.

So what do we get - yes a giant supermarket. But no new homes, extra traffic day and night and potentially real damage to the thriving independent shopping precinct of North Street.

Simply Southville says 'no' to Tesco and this site will support any campaign to prevent a decision that could cause untold damage to our community.

Front Gardens judged soon

2009-06-07T12:48:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again where gardens in Southville are judged for the annual Front Garden Competition. Organised by the local community for the local community, volunteers will post certificates through the doors of those people that have made an effort with their front garden. The best are then shortlisted for an overall award.

The competition started as a way of encouraging local people to look after their front gardens for the benefit of everyone in the community. Great scheme.

September date for Dame Emily fair

2009-06-04T20:30:00.000+01:00

The Dame Emily Park Project will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of thepark's opening as a public park on Sunday, 6 September 2009.

Canoe cleaner clears Cut

2009-05-13T22:28:00.003+01:00

Well done John Pursey! There's a report in tonight's Evening Post about 64 year old John who was so fed up of seeing things dumped in the New Cut he got in his canoe and did something about it. In the past six weeks he's already pulled out 20 bikes. Read more on the Post website.

£1.37 billion profit for Southville firm

2009-05-12T20:19:00.001+01:00

Okay, we all have our own opinions about cigarettes and profits from tobacco but it's good to know a Southville-based company has increased its profits by 54%. Imperial Tobacco, which has the biggest sales and profits of any firm in the Bristol area, has its headquarters in Upton Road. For the six months ending in March it recorded sales of £12 billion by selling 151.1 billion cigarettes across the world. Good for your health, no. Good for the 225 staff working in Upton Road, yes.

Arts Trail Triumph

2009-05-11T08:13:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to everyone involved with this year's Arts Trail (9-10 May). The sun shone and the streets of Bristol were filled with people clutching maps, seeking out the 50+ venues on the trail. Simply Southville HQ has two new prints and a fine teapot. All bought in the community from the community. Great stuff

Who's ringing our bells?

2009-05-05T21:36:00.002+01:00

The Southville Ringers are holding an open day on Saturday 9 May (11am-3pm) at St Paul's Church on Coronation Road. You can watch the bell-ringers in action and perhaps have a go yourself? Everyone welcome but children must be accompanied by and adult.

Get ready for the Arts Trail, 9-10 May

2009-05-04T21:24:00.001+01:00

The seventh Southbank Bristol Arts Trail is a weekend of arts and performance in homes, churches, community centres and public houses around Southville, Bedminster and Ashton. Venues will be open on 9 and 10 May 2009, between 11 am and 6 pm. The first venue on the trail is the Southville Centre.

For more details of the trail, venues and a route map check out the Southbank Bristol Arts website.

New Cut 200 - further celebrations

2009-04-20T22:11:00.000+01:00

A Celebratory party with Irish band "Sergeant Early's Dream". Monday 4 May, 7pm to 11pm on the Grain Barge. Tickets £4 each from the Southville Centre. Available now!

Celebrate 200 years of the New Cut on 4 May

2009-04-17T20:36:00.001+01:00

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Avon New Cut and Feeder Canal and the opening of Bristol's Floating Harbour, there will be a Fun Day on 4 May by Brunel's SS Great Britain.

The original celebration in May 1809 featured a party where a hog roast and a specially brewed beer was enjoyed by the Irish builders and Bristol townsfolk alike. For the 2009 celebration, Brunel's ss Great Britain will host the hog roast, while the Bristol Beer Factory has produced a special Cut Blaster beer.

There will also be entertainment for the whole family including:

Tales of the Cut with an Irish actor and "Show of Strength".

Irish dancers and Morris dancers.

A jazz band (also performing on the Harbourside train).

Sea Shanty singers

A treasure hunt plus other fun and games for children.

Southville launch for new beer

2009-04-16T22:17:00.005+01:00

Earlier this month the Bristol Beer Factory launched its latest brew at an event at the Tobacco Factory - Bristol Stout. Like the famous black stuff from Dublin, but brewed on our doorstep. Why not do your bit for the community and choose a local brew!

Wild in BS3

2009-04-15T21:25:00.000+01:00

There's an open meeting at Windmill Hill City Farm on Monday, 27 April (7.30pm) to launch a new wildlife network. This group already includesSouthville CDA, South Bristol Riverscapes Project and Avon Wildlife Trust andwill work with Bristol Parks, park and river groups, schools and anyone elsewho wants to join in. The idea is to make BS3 much more welcoming to nativeplants and animals and to involve local people in making that happen.

Southville man gets MBE

2009-04-08T21:16:00.000+01:00

Stan Hammond, from Coronation Road, Southville, received an MBE from the Queen on Tuesday 7 April at a ceremony in Windsor. His award was for his work in helping to set up the Pride of Bristol Trust, which provides training sessions for youngsters on a former Royal Navy ship. The trust was started in 1995, with the first trips made the following year. Since then, about 400 children a year have benefited from the team-building sessions.

GBCP Conference and AGM

2009-03-26T21:30:00.001Z

Greater Bedminster Community Partnership's Priorities Conference and AGM is on Saturday 4 April. It runs from 9.30 to 3.00 at Southville Centre.

Southville Gardening Club - wildlife talk

2009-03-23T19:11:00.000Z

Wildlife photographer Helen Williams is giving a talk about wildlife gardening on Tuesday 7 April. The meeting is at St Paul's Chuech on Coronation Road. More details from the Club Organiser on 017 966 0563

What is Spring Froward?

2009-03-14T16:11:00.004Z

On the weekend that the clocks go forward (27-29 March), ‘Spring Forward’ will transform the windows of disused shop fronts and businesses into picture frames by using light and projected images from within. The films are viewed from the outside and therefore can be seen by the public outside the normal art gallery setting. More information at http://www.illuminatebristol.co.uk/

GBCP drop-in meeting

2009-03-13T09:21:00.001Z

Find out more about the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership at its drop-in event on Wednesday 18 March. It is in the Green Room of the Tobacco Factory between 5.30 and about 8.00pm.

May celebrations for New Cut anniversary

2009-03-12T23:55:00.000Z

Preparations are being made for a major celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the New Cut. Events will include a hog roast, street theatre with Show of Strength, music, dancing, and fun and games for all the family. This will be held adjacent to the ss Great Britain during the afternoon of Monday 4th May – make a note of the date in your diaries now!

Facebook page for Tobacco Factory Theatre

2009-03-04T20:43:00.006Z

Southville's very own theatre at the Tobacco Factory has just launched its own page on Facebook. Lots of details about what's on and pictures from recent productions. If you use Facebook why not take a look here...

Spain from Ireland in Southville

2009-03-04T20:22:00.003Z

Irish comedian, Karl Spain is playing The Comedy Box (at The Hen & Chicken, 210 North Street) Friday and Saturday this week. He offers a cocktail of strange-but-true biographical reminiscences, frenetically good-natured interaction and inventive self-deprecatory gags about his ample frame. More details at http://www.thecomedybox.co.uk

Clean up the Cut on 7 March

2009-02-25T21:30:00.004Z

Do you want to help clean up the Avon New Cut? On Saturday 7 March you can join a working party cleaning up the Cumberland Road riverbank between Gods Garden and the Chocolate Path. Meet at 10.00am at Gaol Ferry Bridge. Wear strong shoes and warm clothing. Free coffee and cake afterwards!

Southville is a 'safe bet'

2009-02-25T21:14:00.003Z

This week's Venue magazine (no 857) has a feature on the best places to live in Bristol and Bath and where will survive the recession. In south Bristol it is Southville that comes out on top as a 'safe bet'. The best bits according to Venue is 'world-class theatre' at the Tobacco Factory, breakfast at the Lounge and 'proper-job' shops in North Street. Venue rekons that 'the archetypal Southville three-bed terrace' is worth £230-£240k.

Deadline looming for 2009 Arts Trail

2009-02-22T20:46:00.003Z

The 2009 Southbank Bristol Arts Trail is coming in May and the deadline to take part has been slightly extended, to 28 February 2009.

The seventh Arts Trail will be a weekend of arts and performance in homes, churches, community centres and public houses around Southville, Bedminster and Ashton on 9 and 10 May 2009. More information on the Southbank Bristol Arts website.

Something fishy going on in North Street?

2009-02-22T20:18:00.003Z

Last month I reported on my first 'taste' of Fishminster, the new chippy on North Street and as a punter I was very pleased. However, not everyone is happy with the new establishment.

A new air vent from the shop has angered neighbours as has the planning 'process' according to a letter published in the Evening Post.

Thespians in Southville

2009-02-22T20:03:00.004Z

I didn't realise we had an amateur dramatic group in Southville, But we do! St Paul’s Players has been based in Southville for over fifty years. The club generally has two main productions a year in the spring and autumn. Check out its website.

Bristol Rugby rant

2009-02-14T09:50:00.004Z

I went to the Bristol v Newcastle Falcons game last night and what a let down! Bristol in a 'must-win' game lost 3-35. Bristol looked clueless and couldn't even get the basics right. On that performance there is zero chance of avoiding relegation. Aghhh.

St Valentine's Day Celebration

2009-02-12T19:55:00.002Z

There's a St Valentine's Day art exhibition at the Southville Centre on Saturday 14 February, 9.30am-3pm. There's work from local artists and residents, and homemade cakes! It's a free event.

Lend FrANC a hand on 7 Febuary

2009-01-29T21:33:00.002Z

If you want to do your bit for the environment, then the Friends of the Avon New Cut (FrANC) are inviting volunteers to join a working party to clean up the Coronation Road side of the riverbank. If you'd like to help out for a couple of hours, meet at 10am at Gaol Ferry Bridge and don't forget to wear warm clothes and strong footwear.